00:00New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has written a personal note to a riot accused, to the Delhi
00:06riot accused Omar Khaled. In this letter, there's also a reference to eight US lawmakers who've
00:13urged India to grant Khaled bail. They flagged concerns over prolonged pre-trial detention.
00:21The BJP has hit right back and strongly condemning foreign interference while the Congress has
00:28welcomed this international attention. India Today gets you more in this report.
00:41Zohran Mamdani has taken office as the new mayor of New York City. But even as celebrations continue,
00:47Mamdani is back in the headlines. This time, over a letter he wrote to Delhi riot case accused Omar Khaled.
00:54In the note, Mamdani struck an emotional tone, writing that he often reflects on Khaled's
00:58words about resisting bitterness, even in difficult times. He also mentioned meeting Khaled's parents
01:04and conveyed that many people were thinking of him. The letter became public after it was shared
01:09by Khaled's partner on social media.
01:13This is not the first time Mamdani has spoken about Umar Khaled. In 2023, at a new year,
01:19Mamdani had read out excerpts from a letter written by Khaled, where he spoke about not allowing
01:25him to be a person.
01:26This is not the first time Mamdani has spoken about Umar Khaled. In 2023, at an event in New York,
01:31Mamdani had read out excerpts from a letter written by Khaled, where he spoke about not allowing
01:36his incarceration to turn into bitterness. There is also growing international attention
01:41to Khaled's case. Eight U.S. lawmakers have written to the Indian ambassador in Washington,
01:47urging that Umar Khaled be granted bail and a free and fair trial. The law must have written
01:52concerns over prolonged pre-trial detention in India and emphasised the importance of due process.
02:14Back home, the developments have triggered sharp political reactions. Leaders from the Congress
02:19and the India bloc have welcomed the international attention, calling the intervention significant
02:24and reiterating that bail is the rule, jail the exception.
02:27Yes, sir.
02:37Yes, sir.
02:42The BJP, however, has pushed back strongly, highlighting a photograph of Rahul Gandhi
03:08with one of the U.S. lawmakers who signed the letter.
03:11The party question why individuals Rahul Gandhi meets abroad often take positions it claims go against India's national interests.
03:41He is trying to malign the image of India and it will not be tolerated.
03:45The BHP has also criticised Mamdani, questioning his right to comment on India's legal processes.
03:52The BHP accused him of selective outrage, alleging silence on attacks on temples and Hindus in the U.S.
03:59and questioned whether Mamdani's support for Umar Khalid is driven by religious considerations.
04:0438-year-old Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 and faces multiple charges.
04:11He has also been charged under multiple sections of the UAPA.
04:34Earlier, the Delhi police in its charge sheet claimed that the riots were well designed and orchestrated and the ultimate aim was regime change.
04:43Delhi courts have repeatedly denied Umar regular bail, though he has been granted interim bail on limited occasions for family reasons.
04:52Most recently, Khalid was given temporary bail from December 16 to December 29 to attend his sister's wedding.
05:00This under strict conditions, including a gag order and a ban on social media use.
05:06As international voices grow louder, the debate continues.
05:10Are Mamdani and U.S. lawmakers expressing genuine concern over civil liberties or are they interfering in India's internal affairs?
05:17Bureau Report, India Today.
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